SLOUGH Town FC joint-boss Neil Baker admits his players need a confidence boost after crashing out of the FA Cup.

The Rebels suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ardley United of the Hellenic Premier in the first qualifying round on Saturday.

It is the second time in as many years that Slough have fallen at the first hurdle - they were beaten by Cirencester Town last season.

The Rebels were guilty of not taking their chances at Holloways Park, and the defeat extends their winless run to seven matches.

Baker told the Observer he and fellow boss Jon Underwood were ‘bitterly disappointed’ to lose on Saturday, though he insists they are not playing badly.

He said: “The positive from the vast majority of our games is that we’re creating chances.

“We ran Weymouth and Poole close without a full strength side, but Saturday was unacceptable.

“We are not playing badly in reality and know that the players we’ve got can score goals, they have proven that.

“But maybe they are lacking in confidence at the moment.

“It’s bitterly disappointing to lose as everyone wants a cup run and we’re no different.

“There’s money to be made and glory to be had, but it will not happen for us this year because we couldn’t beat a side two levels below us.

“We didn’t take our chances and that’s a recurring theme at the moment. It wasn’t a great day.

“We didn’t play great and their keeper pulled off some fantastic saves, but we should’ve won the game comfortably.

“The longer the game stays 0-0, the more confidence they get.

“Ardley went ahead against the run of play, and that gave them a belief that they could cause an upset.

“We didn’t create an awful lot but could’ve won by five or six on another day.

“As a manager I’ve never been beaten before by a side two levels below, and neither has Jon.

“That’s disappointing but it’s the FA Cup for you. There will be shocks in every round, right up to the fifth, that’s the beauty of it.”

The Rebels currently sit in 15th place in the Southern Premier Division and return to action at home to Bideford tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm ko).

Baker expects a tough match against The Robins but he knows his team are desperate for a win.

He said: “Bideford didn’t have a great start but they’ve picked up recently.

“They finished in eighth place in the league last year and we all know it’s going to be tough.

“They’re an established side at this level and it will not be easy.

“We’re seven games without a win now and that does start to play on the players’ minds. We just need to get a win.”

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